Fabrication of metal sheets by electrodeposition



State of New Patented Feb. 23,1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR Z. PEDERSEN, OF WEST ORANGE, NEW

CORPORATION, OF YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FABRICATION OF METAL SHEETS BY ELECTRODEPOSITION.

No Drawing.

To all 'u'lmm. it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR Z. Pnnnnsnn', a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the town of W'est Orange, county of Essex,

Jersey, have'invented an Improvement in Fabrication of Metal Sheets by Electrodeposition, of which the following is a specification.

My present inventionrelates'to improvements in methods of electrodeposition, particularly in the production of sheets of a metal by electrodeposition. 'VVhile my invention may be applied to various metals, it

finds particularly successful application in the case of the so-called nickel metals, especiallynickel or cobalt, or alloys containing substantial amounts of either, or both, of these metals.

By way of illustration, I shall describe my invention as applied'to the production of sheets of nickel, it. however, being understood that this particular embodiment of my invention is herein set forth in detail merely by way of example, and that the invention is not limited to such particular embodiment. 7

In the practice hitherto followed in this art, it has been customary in producing sheets of nickel, for example, by electrodcposition, to use what is known as a starting-sheet which receives the deposit c0ating, or sheet, and upon which startingsheet the metal will deposit without adhering. According to this and related methods, the manufacture of metallic sheets by electrodeposition requires considerable time and rather expensive manipulation since the starting-sheet must be coated for each sheet of electrolytic metal made.

I have discovered that I can produce a switch.

separable coating upon a cathode by reversin the current while it is in the deposition hath. In this way, I am enabled to produce a succession of single sheets of metal which may one after the other be readily stripped from the cathode. or I may as readily produce a composite layer of metal consisting of a large number of readilv separable sheets by reversing the direction of the flow of current through the deposition bath between sumessive depositions. and without removing the cathode from the bath.

In carrying out the present invention for making a succession of single separate sheets of metal or for making a large number of Application filed Kay 15, 1920. Serial No. 381,557.

sheets of a nickel metal, such as nickel, I

may use a cathode of any desired or suitable metal, such as copper, iron, or cobalt, or of iron or other metal coated with nickel or lating the same initially in the bath in-whic i the nickel or analogous sheet is subsequently to be formed. The cathode may be either in the form of a flat sheet, or in the form of a cylinder, which may be either stationary or rotated in the bath, by any suitable means. The anode consists of the metal which it is desired to deposit, in the present example, nickel, and the bath can consist of the usual bath employed for nickel deposition. The anode and cathode are connected to the source of currentsupply through a pole-changing, or reversing cobalt as by In starting, I prefer to turn on the current in a directionopposite to that of normal operation, so that initially the cathode serves as an anode. This reversed flow of the current is'continued for a length of time dependent on the current density and may amount approximately to from about 25 to about 100, for example about 35, ampereseconds per square foot dependent also on the nature and temperature of the bath. That is, where the current density is 5 amperes per square foot. the current should be reversed for a period of time amounting to approximately 7 seconds for heavier sheets. lVhere, however. the sheets are very thin, the current density should be reduced to about 2 amperes per square foot during the period reversal and the time of reversal should be correspondingly increased to about 17 seconds to prevent the thin sheet from being torn or blistered or to prevent the same from falling or dropping off the cathode as a result of the reversal of the direction of flow of the current. I then throw the switch back to operating position so that the cathode acts as such and receives the initial deposit of the metal. The current is continued in this direction until the deposit is of the desired thickness, when the switch is reversed again for the same period of time, namely. about 10 or 15 seconds. The current is now sent through the bath in the direction of deposition and the foregoing operations are repeated until a composite layer containing the desired number of separable layers, or sheets. is produced. In this manner, a large number of readily separable sheets of JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO MADSENELL metal can be built up without removing the cathode from the bath. It goes without saying that the period of time consumed in the process of deposition, i; e. when the cathode acts as such, is Very much longer than the period of timeduring which the current is reversed, the ratio of these time periods being of the order of 100 to 1. .It is also apparent that where it is desired to make a succession of single sheets rather than build-- ing up a composite sheet consisting of many layers, the sheets as formed are successively removed from the cathode just before the direction of flow of the current is reversed to prepare the cathode to receive another separable sheet of metal.

While the cause of this ready separability of the sheets making up the composite layer is not clear, and while I do not wish to be limited to any particular theory or explanation of what takes place, it is my opinion that the result set forth above is produced by a slight oxidation film which is'caused by the decomposition'of the water of the bath and the liberation of oxygen on the cathode surfaceduring the intermittent reversals of the direction of flow of current. Only metals susceptible to such action are contemplated in my process. As stated in the beginning of the specification, I do not mean to restrict myself to nickel, cobalt, or alloys containing either or both. At the same time, certain metals which are not easil corroded by the acid radical of plating baths, such, for instance, as platinum, do not lend themselves to my process. In order to indicate this characteristic difference, I have, in some claims, used the term anodica-lly corrosive for the metal, but I wish it. to be clearly understood that this term is to be inter reted as merely indicative of the herein escribed action'no matter what the reason therefor may be.

It is, of course, to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereof herein described for purposes of illustration only.

VVhat- I claim is:

l. The method of makin a lurality of separable sheets of an anodically corrosive metal by electrodeposition which com rises reversing the direction of the flow 0 current between successive depositions.

2. The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of nickel metal by electrodeposition which comprises reversing the direction of the flow of-current between successive depositions.

3. The method of making by electrodeposition a composite layer of an anodically corrosive metal in the form of separable sheets, which comprises intermittently reversing the direction of the flow of the current through the bath '4. The method of making by electrodeposition a composite layer of nickel metal in the form of separable sheets, which'comprises intermittently reversing the direction of the flow of the current through the bath.

5. The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of nickel metal by electrodeposition which comprises using said sheets as cathodes to receivesuccessive depositions andreversing the direction of the flow of current between said successive depositions. i

6. The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of a metal by electrodeposition which comprises using said sheets as cathodes to receive successive depositions and reversing the direction of the flow of current between said successive.

de ositions.

The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of a metal by electrodcpo- .sition which comprises reversing the direotion of flow of the current between successive depositions for a period of time constituting a small fraction of the eriod of time consumed in the deposition 0 each one of said sheets.

8. The method of making by electrodeposition a composite layer of a nickel metal in the form of separable sheets, which comprises intermittently reversing the direction of the flow of current through the bath, the

period of reversal of said current being a small fraction of the period preceding or following such reversal.

9. The method of makinga plurality of shcetsof an anodically corrosive metal by electrode-position which comprises reversing the direction of the flow of current between successive depositions, starting the current in reverse direction to that during which deposition takes place.

10. The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of a metal by electrodeposition which comprises using said sheets as cathodes to receive successive deposit-ions and reversing the direction of the flow of current between said successive depositions, starting the current in reverse direction to that during which deposition takes place.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 11th day of May, 1920. ARTHUR Z. PEDERSEN.

metal can be built up without removing the cathode from the bath. It goes without saying that the period of time consumed in the process of deposition, i. e. when the cathode acts as such, is very much longer than the period of time during which the current is reversed, the ratio of these time periods being of the order of 100 to 1. .It is also apparent that where it is desired to make a succession of single sheets rather than building up acomposite sheet consisting of many layers. the sheets as formed are successively removed from the cathode just before the direction of flow of the current is reversed to prepare the cathode to receive another separable sheet of metal.

\Vhile the cause of this ready separability of the sheets making up the composite layer is not clear, and while I do not wish to be limited to any particular theory or explanation of what takes place, it is my opinion that the result set forth above is produced by a slight oxidation film which is caused by the decomposition of the water of the bath and the liberation of oxygen on the cathode surface during the intermittent reversals of the direction of flow of current. Only metals susceptible to such action are contemplated in my process. As stated in the beginning of the specification, I do not mean to restrict myself to nickel, cobalt, or alloys containing either or both. At the same time, certain metals which are not easily corroded by the acid radical of plating baths, such, for instance, as platinum, do not lend themselves to my process. In order to indicate this characteristic difference, I have, in some claims, used the term anodically corrosive for the metal, but ,I wish it to be clearly understood that this term is to be interpreted as merely indicative of the herein described actionno matter what the reason therefor may be.

It is, of course, to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereof herein described for purposes of illustration only.

lvhat I claim is:

1. The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of an anodically corrosive metal by elcctrodeposition which comprises reversing the direction of the flow of'current between successive depositions.

.2. The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of nickel metal by electrodeposition which comprises reversing the direction of the flow of current between successive depositions.

The method of making by electrodeposition a composite layer of an anodically corrosive metal in the form of separable sheets, which comprises intermittently reversing the direction of the flow of the current through the bath.

4. The method of making by electrodeposition a. composite layer of nickel metal in the form of separable sheets. which comprises intermittently reversing the direction of the flow of the current through the bath.

The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of nickel metal by electrodeposit ion which comprises using said sheets as cathodes to receivesuccessive depositions and'reversing the direction of the flow of current between said successive depositions.

6. The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of a metal by electrodeposition which comprises using said sheets as cathodes to receive successive depositions and reversing the direction of the flow of current between said successive depositions.

7. The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of a metal by electrodeposition which comprises reversing the direction of flow of the current between succesrive depositions for a period of time constituting a small fraction of the eriod of time consumed in the deposition 0 each one of said sheets.

9. The method of making by clectrodeposition a composite layer of a nickel metal in the form of separable sheets. which comprises intermittently reversing the direction of the flow of current through the bath, the period of reveisal of said current being a small fraction of the period preceding or following such reversal.

i). The method of making a plurality of sheets of an anodically corrosive metal by electrodeposition which comprises reversing the direction of the flow of current between successive depositions, starting the current in reverse direction to that during which deposition takes place.

10. The method of making a plurality of separable sheets of a metal by electrodeposition which comprises using said sheets as cathodes to receive successive depositions and reversing the direction of the flow of current between said successive depositions, starting the current in reverse direction to that during which deposition takes place.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 11th day of Alay, 1920.

ARTHUR Z. PEDEHSEN.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 1,574,055 granted February 23, 1926,

upon the application of Arthur Z. Pedersen, of West range, New Jersey, for an improvement in Fabrication of Metal Sheets by Electrode osition, were erroneously issued to Madsenell Corporation, of New York, N.

., a oorporatlon of New York, as assignee of the entire interest in said invention, whereas said Letters Patent should have been issued to the ineent0r,'said Pederse'n, assole owner of said invention; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with the correction therein that the same may conform to the reoord of the case 1n the Patent Ofiiee.

Signed'and sealed this 30th day of March, A. D. 1926.

[sun] M. J. MOORE, Acting Commissioner of Przfents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 1,574,055, granted February 23, 1926, upon the application of Arthur Z. Pedersen, of Vest Orange, New Jersey, for an improvement in Fabrication of Metal Sheets by Electrodgposition, were erroneously issued to Madsenell Corporation, of New York, N. a corporation of New York, as assignee of the entire interest in said invention, whereas said Letters Patent shonld have been issued to the invent0r,'said Pede'r'sen, as sole owner of said invention; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of March, A. D. 1926.

M. J. MOORE,

[emu] Acting Commissioner of Pments. 

